USA Team Embarks On 5-Day Security Audit At Lagos Airport

A four-man team from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), United States of America, are currently in Nigeria undertaking a comprehensive security audit of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos,  in line with the TSA security procedures.

Confirming the development, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) reportedly said that the team, led by a Transportation Security Specialist (TSS), arrived at the Aviation House on February 29, 2016, to formally acquaint the agency’s Director-General, Captain Muhtar Usman, on the exercise.

Speaking on the development, the NCAA’s General Manager for Public Affairs, said the TSA team will in the course of the exercise observe the implementation of aviation security measures in place  at the MMIA and exchange technical expertise in line with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Annex 17,   International Aviation Security Standard, and best practices.

In addition, he stated that they conduct inspections on the implementation of the TSA security procedures of Arik Airlines, being the only Nigeria carrier that operates direct flight to United States, and Delta Airline and United Airline, which both currently operate flights in and out of Nigeria.

Also outlined in the programme of events during the stay include the examination of  airport operations and standards, quality control, access control point at the airport, measures relating to aircraft maintenance, passenger and baggage screening, cargo, mailing and catering services, among others. Other essential issues to be examined are screening equipment, airport contingency plan (ACP) and airport security programme (ASP).

However, NCAA DG, displayed hospitality to the TSA team and pledged the authority’s cooperation throughout the stay.

“Security is a serious issue and as a regulatory body, we give it much attention. Thus, security issues are resolved in a timely manner,” he said.